DOCSLIB.ORG

Dwindling Forest and Their Protection Strategies Through Joint Forest Management in Assam

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dwindling Forest and Their Protection Strategies Through Joint Forest Management in Assam Journal of Agroecology and Natural Resource Management p-ISSN: 2394-0786, e-ISSN: 2394-0794, Volume 6, Issue 4; July-September, 2019, pp. 181-185 © Krishi Sanskriti Publications http://www.krishisanskriti.org/Publication.html DWINDLING FOREST AND THEIR PROTECTION STRATEGIES THROUGH JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT IN ASSAM Sujata Medhia and A.K. Borab aPh.D. Scholar, Department of Geography, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India bFaculty, Department of Geography, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Abstract—Assam with its varied and favorable physiography, with increase in population more and more forest areas are climates and soil conditions is endowed with plenty of forest brought under cultivation and indiscriminate felling of trees in resources. The peculiar geo-physical make-up of the state along with the form of commercial exploitation has continuedunabated. its verdant forests has resulted in a variety of ideal ecological Of late the decline in forest cover has been alarming which is habitats for a large variety of flora and fauna. But in recent years, likely to acquire gross environmental hazards in the near the state happens to be a land of immense human significance characterized by high population growth and resultant stress on its future. forest resources. Various forms and processes of forest depletion The situation is more so in the start of Assam. Being an leading to large-scale deforestation and bio-depletion are posing integral part of the monsoon regime of eastern Asia, Assam serious threat to ecological balance, which demands proper plans and policies for conservation of forests. Of all the already recognized enjoys similar geophysical conditions and thereby inherits efforts to protect the forest cover of Assam, the Joint Forest similar rich forest resource base as that of the North - Eastern Management (JFM) involving community participation in forest Region of India. Like other states of North-East, Assam was management issues is thought to be one of the best strategies for also endowed with plenty of forest resources. But in recent regeneration, maintenance and protection of forests. Besides years, a host of anthropogenic factors have been adversely analyzing the forms and processes of forest depletion in Assam, this affecting its natural environment leading to over exploitation paper examines the problems and prospects of JFM in the state and and abuses of the natural resources. Assam’s forests are thus advocates the prospective conservation of forests through effective fast losing their splendour and regenerative capacity due to implementation of the JFM programmes. uncontrolled process of deforestation caused by human Key words: Geo-physical make-up, bio-depletion, rural subsistence, advance, economic exploitation and so called development at Joint Forest Management, community participation. the cost of bioresources. Under such circumstances there arises an urgent need to squarely address the ever growing Introduction issues and dimensions of the deforestation problem. However, Forests constitute an integral component of the physical some efforts are being made to check the forest depletion environment and form the most precious biotic resources. process. The traditional ways and measures which have They play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in already been suggested and accordingly put into action to nature. Forests moderate the climate, reduce soil erosion, protect forest cover are found ineffective and incapable of regulate stream flow, improve the ground water conditions, yielding any desired results. It is in this context, a realization reduce floods, provide shelter to wide variety of flora and grows that unless the local communities are involved in forest fauna, supply food, fuel and shelter to human population, management issues, deforestation process can never be support a number of industries and provide opportunities for checked. The Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme is, recreation (Tripathiand Singh, 1993). Besides being vitally therefore regarded as the key strategy for conservation and important from environmental point of view, forests in a management of forest resources. Keeping this view in mind, developing country like India are not only the basic resource the present study aims to analyze the pattern and process of to provide economic goods but also to maintain and improve forest depletion and examine the relevance and need of JFM in agricultural productivity. It is true that as population grows, putting Assam’s forest resources on a sustainable footing. the need for greater food production becomes necessary. But Forest cover dynamics: this should meet by more intensive cultivation and not by destruction of forests, which play a pivotal role in the national Assam is a land of rich forest resources. The outstanding economy. However, the irony of the situation is that along feature of the biotic resources of the state is the great diversity 182 Sujata Medhi and A.K. Bora of flora and fauna. Assam is an integral part of a global Mizoram 0.06 21,081 biodiversity hot spot (Myers, 1991). The wide spectrum of Arunachal Pradesh 0.24 83,743 forest types ranging from tropical evergreen forest to wet Source: The state of Forest Report, 2017 grass- type vegetation from widely differing habitat ecology Forms and processes of forest depletion: and support an exquisite variety of fauna (Bora, 2000; Ever since the human race started agriculture, the beginning of Choudhury, 2001). However due to senseless human environmental degradation leading to loss of forest has been intervention coupled with the pace of development the forest apparent. Extension of agriculture at the cost of forest cover cover of the state is under serious threat in recent years. The has been continuing in the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys of forest depletion scenario of Assam today is utterly dismal Assam since early times of civilization. The fertile alluvial which has become a matter of grave concern. According to the river valleys attracted different human groups to settle down State Forest Report, 2017, the forest cover in Assam has and practice agriculture. With the growth of population the increased since2001, showing the forest cover percentage pressure of rural subsistence started increasing resulting in from 35.33 percent in 2001 to 35.83 percent in 2017 (table gradual expansion of farmlands at the cost of forests. 1.1). But the loss of forest is comparatively more in the case of dense forest. As evident form the(table 1.2) the area under The hill tribes of Assam, especially of the Karbi Anglong and dense forest in the state stood at 15,830 sq.km.in 2001 which North Cachar Hills districts are traditionally practicing Jhum later on decreased to 2797 sq.km.in 2017. As a result, the cultivation since early times, which has emerged as one of the percentage of dense forest area got reduced from 20.18 important causes of deforestation on the hill slopes. Besides percent in 2001 to 3.56 percent in 2017. A report of the forest causing loss to forest cover, Jhum cultivation has also Survey of India reveals that Assam and other 11 states of the acquired the problems like loss of bio-diversity, soil erosion country are gradually losing their forest cover while other 17 and reduction in soil fertility. In karbi Anglong and North states have shown significant increase in their forest cover. Cachar Hills Districts Jhum cultivation covers 45 percent and Among the north-eastern states (table 1.3) Assam has the 65 percent area of the district concerned respectively. The lowest forest cover accounting for only 35.83 percent of its slash and burn method largely practiced in the two districts total geographical area. The per capita forest cover in Assam results in gross disappearance of forests. is only 0.03 hectares, which is lowest among the states of the North- Eastern region. Massive forest depletion in Assam started due to intrusion of modern political and economic systems into the region. Table1.1: Forest cover Statusin Assam from2001to2017 During the British rule, the colonial administrators focused Year Total Forest P.C of forest Area attention on political and economic development in the major Area(sq.km) river basins of country. In due course of time, western systems 2001 27,714 35.33 of property right and resource exploitation penetrated the hills 2005 27,758 35.38 and plains. As againstthe already prevalent rural subsistence 2009 27,652 35.25 and traditional way of forest use, forest depletion process in 2013 27,671 35.28 Assam also gained momentum with the coming of the British 2017 28,104 35.83 rulers. Natural forests were replaced largely through Source : The State of Forest Report,2017 expansion of tea plantation under British patronage with the introduction of the tea cultivation in 1833. The total number of Table1.2: Area under Dense Forest in Assam from 2001-2017 tea gardens in Assam presently stands at about 803 that are Year Total Area underDense P.C of Dense mostly confined to the belt extending from the flood – free Forest(sq.km) Forest Area built – up zone up to the northern and southern hills and 2001 15,830 20.18 foothills of the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys. Since the later 2005 1460 1.86 half of the last century, more than 2200 sq.km of forest areas 2009 1435 1.82 mostly of tropical rain forest have been cleared so far for tea 2013 1444 1.84 plantation in the state. Presently covers 312,210ha. of the area 2017 2797 3.56 under tea planation. Source: The forest Survey of India, 2017 Development of land and water transport system in Assam has Table1.3: Forest Cover Status in Assam and North-Eastern also been a major cause of forest loss. Streamer services States. linking Kolkata with the Brahmaputra valley started in 1847. States Per Capita Forest Forest Area in P.C This facilitated the export of valuable timbers thereby Cover(ha) of total area enhancing the process of forest exploitation in the state.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Impact of Tanzania's Joint Forest Management Programme On
    Lauren Persha A triple win? Charles Meshack The impact of Tanzania’s Joint Forest Management programme on livelihoods, governance and forests March 2016 Impact Environment and Governance Evaluation Report 34 About 3ie The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) is an international grant-making NGO promoting evidence-informed development policies and programmes. We are the global leader in funding and producing high-quality evidence of what works, how, why and at what cost. We believe that better and policy-relevant evidence will make development more effective and improve people’s lives. 3ie Impact Evaluations 3ie-supported impact evaluations assess the difference a development intervention has made to social and economic outcomes. 3ie is committed to funding rigorous evaluations that include a theory-based design, use the most appropriate mix of methods to capture outcomes and are useful in complex development contexts. About this report 3ie accepted the final version of this report, Is Tanzania’s joint forest management programme a triple win? Understanding causal pathways for livelihoods, governance and forest condition impacts, as partial fulfilment of requirements under grant OW3.1109 issued under Open Window 3. The content has been copyedited and formatted for publication by 3ie. Due to unavoidable constraints at the time of publication, a few of the tables or figures may be less than optimal. All of the content is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not represent the opinions of 3ie, its donors or its Board of Commissioners. Any errors and omissions are also the sole responsibility of the authors. All affiliations of the authors listed in the title page are those that were in effect at the time the report was accepted.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Promise and Limitations of Joint Forest Management in an Era of Globalisation: the Case of West Bengal.1
    Assessing the promise and limitations of Joint Forest Management in an era of globalisation: the case of West Bengal.1 Douglas Hill, Australian National University. Introduction This paper seeks to interrogate the claims of the dominant discourses of globalisation with regard to their compatibility with mechanisms for empowering marginalised communities and providing a basis for sustainable livelihood strategies. These concerns are examined from the perspective of the development experience of India, including the New Economic Policy (NEP) regime initiated in India in 1991, and its subsequent structural transformation towards greater conformity with the imperatives of ‘economic liberalisation’. It suggests that the Indian institutional structure of development has been such that resources have been unequally distributed and that this has reinforced certain biases particularly on a caste/class and gender basis. The analysis suggests that these biases have reduced the legitimacy of previous models of resource management and continue to hamper the prospects of current formulations. These concerns are analysed utilising an examination of the management of forest-based Common Property Resources (CPRs) within the context of rural West Bengal, specifically the system of Joint Forest Management (JFM) i. Such an examination is pertinent since those communities dependent upon CPRs for a substantial part of their subsistence requirements are amongst the most vulnerable strata of society. As Agrawhal, (1999), Platteau (1999, 1997) and others have argued, these CPRs function as a “social safety net” or “fall-back position”ii. This should be seen within the broader context of rural development, since the success or failure of the total rural development environment including poverty alleviation programs, agriculture, rural credit and employment (both on and off farm), will influence the relative dependence on these CPRs.
    [Show full text]
  • Andhra Pradesh Forestry Project: Forest Restoration and Joint Forest Management in India
    Andhra Pradesh Forestry Project: Forest Restoration and Joint Forest Management in India Project Description India’s 1988 forest policy stipulates that forests are to be managed primarily for ecological conservation, and the use of forest resources for local use or non-local industry is of secondary emphasis. In Andhra Pradesh, local people living near forests are forming Vana Samrakshna Samithi (VSS), village organisations dedicated to forest restoration. In partnership with the state forestry department more than 5,000 VSS are working to restore more than 1.2 million hectares of degraded forests. VSS share all of the non-timber forest products (grasses, fuel-wood, fruit, and medicines) amongst themselves, and receive all of the income from the harvest of timber and bamboo. Half of this income is set aside for the future development and maintenance of the forest. In this way the long-term sustainability of the project is protected and government support is only required while the forest returns to a productive state. Ecosystem type The Eastern Highlands Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests are considered globally outstanding for the communities of large vertebrates and intact ecological processes that they support. The region contains 84,000 km2 of intact habitat, some in blocks of more than 5,000 km2. The region is a refuge for many large vertebrates such as wolves (Canis lupus) and gaur (Bos gaurus), and threatened large mammals such as the tiger (Panthera tigris), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), and chinkara (Gazella bennettii). The only endemic mammal is a threatened Rhinolophidae bat, Hipposideros durgadasi.
    [Show full text]
  • Frame Analysis of ENGO Conceptualization of Sustainable Forest Management: Environmental Justice and Neoliberalism at the Core of Sustainability
    Article Frame Analysis of ENGO Conceptualization of Sustainable Forest Management: Environmental Justice and Neoliberalism at the Core of Sustainability Nenad Šimunović 1,*, Franziska Hesser 1 and Tobias Stern 2 1 Wood K Plus (Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH), Market Analysis and Innovation Research Team, Feistmantelstraße 4, 1180 Vienna, Austria; [email protected] 2 Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, Merangasse 18/1, A-8010 Graz, Austria; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +43-1-47654-73513 Received: 30 June 2018; Accepted: 22 August 2018; Published: 4 September 2018 Abstract: Normative judgments on sustainability underpin concepts that shape the supply scenarios of timber consumption. The modern understanding of sustainable forest management is shaped by a diverse spectrum of social demands, going beyond the principle of sustainable yield management. Rival stakeholders compete to incorporate their ideas and interpretations of sustainable forest management into policy institutions. Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) have emerged as one of the dominant stakeholders in the forest-based sector. We set out to explore ENGO-specific conceptualizations of sustainable forest management and investigate differences in understanding among various ENGOs. By conducting a frame analysis of ENGO press releases, we identified two master frames: environmental justice and environmentalist frames. A difference in the emphasis placed on procedural and distributive justice as well as a different standpoint in the commons versus commodity debate emerged as the main divergences between the master frames. The results of our study demonstrate how the differences between the master frames underpin different conceptualizations of sustainable forest management.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Collective Action in Joint Forest Management, Maharashtra, India
    Sustainable collective action in Joint Forest Management, Maharashtra, India A comparative analysis of the influence of external actors By Clare Barnes 3197611 MSc Thesis (45 ECTS) [email protected] Supervisor: Dr. Frank van Laerhoven 2nd Reader: Prof. Dr. Pieter Glasbergen Utrecht University MSc in Sustainable Development Environmental Policy and Management Track April 2010 Acknowledgements At the start of this thesis process I didn‘t realise how many people I would eventually involve and come to rely on. Firstly, I want to thank the many people in Vidarbha, Maharashtra who so kindly set aside so much of their valuable time to answer my many questions and patiently explain to me how things actually work on the ground. The hospitability of the villagers in Gondia and the openness of Forest Department officials and the two NGOs involved in my research not only made this thesis possible but also personally enlightening and enjoyable. Their candour and the insights I gained from my respondents have led me to the decision to keep them anonymous. My supervisor, Frank van Laerhoven, has given me continuous support, guidance and encouragement throughout the process. I am extremely grateful for his stimulating questions, practical advice and reassurances. I am very grateful to Rucha Ghate and everyone associated with SHODH: The Institute for Research and Development, Nagpur especially Mukund Kulkarni, Suresh Ghate and family and Ramdas for welcoming me so warmly and their continuous interest and support in many ways. This thesis has gained greatly from Rucha‘s expert advice and local guidance. It was a very rewarding experience to be able to learn from such inspiring people.
    [Show full text]
  • Forest Policy of Laos in Terms of Local Participation
    FOREST POLICY OF LAOS IN TERMS OF LOCAL PARTICIPATION Makoto Inoue * 1 Kimihiko Hyakumura* 2 1. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to analyze national forest policy in terms of local participation. First, the development of a national forest policy will be described. Second, the legal rights of local people will be examined. Third, a theoretical framework to analyze participatory forest management systems will be discussed. Then the main trials of the participatory forest management systems in Laos will be analyzed based on the analytical framework. Finally, the significance of introducing various participatory forest management systems, with newly devised institutional arrangements, will be discussed. 2. The development of forest policy in Laos After the revolution in 1975, Lao P.D.R. Was fast becoming a communist country. In 1986, the government of Lao P.D.R. started an economic reform policy under a new economic mechanism called “Chin-Thanakaan-Mai”. For Lao P.D.R., which does not have a particular means of foreign currency acquisition, this economic reform meant the logging of trees. This caused serious damage to the forest resources. Due to the lack of plain land, many of the local inhabitants were engaged in slash and burn cultivation on hillsides. This slash and burn cultivation and the forest fires related to this cultivation, have been the major causes of deforestation in Lao P.D.R. In May 1989, the First National Conference on Forestry was held in Vientiane, Lao P.D.R. to discuss the above mentioned rapid deforestation and environmental deterioration. Proposed as countermeasures were the cultivation of cash crops, the implementation of land use classification policy for the management of land and forest by local inhabitants, and the encouragement of tree planting activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Douglas-Fir What Science Can Tell Us – an Option for Europe
    Douglas-fir What Science Can Tell Us – an option for Europe Heinrich Spiecker, Marcus Lindner and Johanna Schuler (editors) What Science Can Tell Us 9 2019 What Science Can Tell Us Lauri Hetemäki, Editor-In-Chief Georg Winkel, Associate Editor Pekka Leskinen, Associate Editor Minna Korhonen, Managing Editor The editorial office can be contacted at [email protected] Layout: Grano Oy / Jouni Halonen Printing: Grano Oy Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the European Forest Institute. ISBN 978-952-5980-65-3 (printed) ISBN 978-952-5980-66-0 (pdf) Douglas-fir What Science Can Tell Us – an option for Europe Heinrich Spiecker, Marcus Lindner and Johanna Schuler (editors) Funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union This publication is based upon work from COST Action FP1403 NNEXT, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). www.cost.eu Contents Preface ................................................................................................................................9 Acknowledgements...........................................................................................................11 Executive summary ...........................................................................................................13 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................17 Heinrich Spiecker and Johanna Schuler 2. Douglas-fir
    [Show full text]
  • Lessons Learned from Community Forestry in Asia and Their Relevance for Redd+ Forest Carbon, Markets and Communities (Fcmc) Program
    LESSONS LEARNED FROM COMMUNITY FORESTRY IN ASIA AND THEIR RELEVANCE FOR REDD+ FOREST CARBON, MARKETS AND COMMUNITIES (FCMC) PROGRAM FEBRUARY 2014 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by FCMC. This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development by Tetra Tech, through a Task Order under the Prosperity, Livelihoods, and Conserving Ecosystems (PLACE) Indefinite Quantity Contract Core Task Order (USAID Contract No. EPP-I-00-06-00008-00, Order Number AID-OAA-TO-11-00022). This report was prepared by: Tetra Tech 159 Bank Street, Suite 300 Burlington, Vermont 05401 USA Telephone: (802) 658-3890 Email: [email protected] www.tetratechintdev.com Forest Carbon, Markets and Communities Program (FCMC) 1611 North Kent Street, Suite 805 Arlington, VA 22209 Tel: (703) 592-6388 Scott Hajost, Chief of Party Email: [email protected] Ian Deshmukh, Senior Technical Advisor/Manager Email: [email protected] Olaf Zerbock, USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative Email: [email protected] For more information regarding this study, contact: Paula J. Williams, FCMC Social and Environmental Soundness Task Lead Email: [email protected] This report is one of four reports on “Lessons Learned from Community Forestry and Their Relevance for REDD+.” The series comprises three regional reviews on this topic, prepared for Latin America (by Janis Alcorn), Africa (by Tom Blomley) and Asia (by Robert Fisher). The global synthesis of the three regional reviews was prepared by Roy Hagen. Paula J. Williams has managed and served as the overall editor for the three regional reviews and a global synthesis.
    [Show full text]
  • FAO Simpler Forest Management Plans For
    Working Paper 2004 Simpler Forest Management Plans for Participatory Forestry Forestry Policy and Institutions Service Forestry Policy and Information Division Forestry Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Rome 2004 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. ii Simpler Forest Management Plans for Participatory Forestry iii Foreword Participatory forestry is now a widely accepted concept and many governments have put policies and laws into place to support the local management of forest resources. However, some constraints have appeared which prevent the full realization of the potential offered by the devolution of ownership or management rights to the rural population. As identified in various international fora (International workshop on participatory forestry in Africa, 2002, Forum on the role of forestry in poverty alleviation, 2001), one of these constraints is the unrealistic requirements imposed on rural communities for the preparation of forest management plans. This is in this context that FAO started to look at existing attempts and experiences to solve this problem in various part of the world. This work has resulted in this working paper which has been prepared with the support of a number of persons. The main source of the information on which this working paper is based is a survey conducted by Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Joint Forest Management: a New Development Band-Wagon in India?
    JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT: A NEW DEVELOPMENT BAND-WAGON IN INDIA? N C Saxena RESUMEN En la India, el Manejo Conjunto de Bosques (JFM) está ganando mayor importancia. Sin embargo, en base a principios derivados de un proyecto que ha dado buenos resultados del este de Bengal, algunos forestales sostienen que en otras partes de India, el Manejo Conjunto de Bosques tiene una aplicación limitada. El autor analiza estos argumentos, y mantiene que, sin caer en un exagerado pesimismo, es necesario reformar las políticas gubernamentales para aseguar la aplicación de este modelo. Entre los aspectos que requieren más atención y aclaración están el mareo legal, la comercialización, el apoyo de las mujeres, la coodinación entre divisiones del Departamento de Forestería y la formación de encargados forestales. A un nivel más general, el autor sostiene que las políticas gubernamentales de ubicación de las diferentes estrategias de producción deben de ser invertidas. Durante los últimos 100 años, la forestería comercial Indiana se ha desarrollado en tierras de bosques, mientras que en las tierras privadas se ha incentivado una forestería de subsistencia. En cambio, el autor sugiere que los bosques y las tierras comunales deberían de ser utilizados para la producción de subsistencia, y la producción de madera para el mercado debería de provenir de las tierras privadas. RESUME La gestion forestière commune (Joint Forest Management JFM) prend de plus en plus d'importance dans la foresterie de l'Inde. Basée en grande partie sur des principes dérivés d'un projet réussi de l'Ouest du Bengale, cette gestion commune ne peut, selon certains, être reproduite que de façon limitée dans d'autres parties de l'Inde.
    [Show full text]
  • Joint Forest Management
    Policy thatworksforforestsandpeople No: 3 India Khare Joint forest management: policy, practice and prospects India’s bold central policy change for joint forest management between government and communities has resulted in regeneration of considerable areas of forest, and has expanded the policy community through inclusion of more stakeholders. But these successes are matched by concerns that forestry departments are still calling the shots, whilst in some cases, serious local inequities are being exacerbated. This report describes the evolution of powers over policy – the legacy of colonial forestry, the inertia of ‘fortress forestry’ institutions, the favoured forest industries and the protectionist agenda, which seeks to lock away forests from people’s use. These powers Joint forest need to be tackled openly and concertedly for the ideal of joint forest management and the potential of farm forestry to be fully realised. The report shows how this can be done through policy processes, instruments, programmes and information which foster productive and equitable management: forest management. Policy that works for forests and people series Forest issues often concern large amounts of money, long time-frames, huge areas of land, and policy, practice and prospects diverse livelihoods. The issues are complex and vary from place to place. However, a pattern of forest problems is common to many countries: continuing loss of natural forests; over- concentrated control and inequitable access to forests; an ill-informed public; and poorly resourced, inflexible forestry institutions. Policy is the root cause of many of these forest problems. This series consists of six country studies – from Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe – and an overview report.
    [Show full text]
  • Forty Years of Community-Based Forestry
    176 176 FAO FORESTRY PAPER Forty years of Forty years of community-based forestry community-based forestry Forty years of community-based forestry – A review its extent and effectiveness A review of its extent and effectiveness A review of its extent and effectiveness Since the 1970s and 1980s, community-based forestry has grown in popularity, based on the concept that local communities, when granted sufcient property rights over local forest commons, can organize autonomously and develop local institutions to regulate the use of natural resources and manage them sustainably. Over time, various forms of community-based forestry have evolved in different countries, but all have at their heart the notion of some level of participation by smallholders and community groups in planning and implementation. This publication is FAO’s rst comprehensive look at the impact of community-based forestry since previous reviews in 1991 and 2001. It considers both collaborative regimes (forestry practised on land with formal communal tenure requiring collective action) and smallholder forestry (on land that is generally privately owned). The publication examines the extent of community-based forestry globally and regionally and assesses its effectiveness in delivering on key biophysical and socioeconomic outcomes, i.e. moving towards sustainable forest management and improving local livelihoods. The report is targeted at policy-makers, practitioners, researchers, communities and civil society. ISSN 0258-6150 ISBN 978-92-5-109095-4 ISSN 0258-6150 FAO FORESTRY
    [Show full text]